Conducted by Harold Brooke
Relayed from the Bishopsgate Institute
Harpsichord played by Gerald Cooper

In the eighteenth century rich patrons were of great assistance to composers. Handel, who as a young man 'settled' in England, found his chief patron in that Duke, 'the princely Chandos,' who, as controller of the Army's pay, did extremely well for himself out of the 'pickings.'
Acis and Galatea (called a 'Serenata') is one of the vocal works composed when Handel was living at the Duke's palace at Cannons, near Edgware, as Master of the Music, and had at his disposal an Orchestra and singers.
Its story is so clear that the various numbers need not be detailed.
Galatea (Soprano), a Sea Nymph, is loved and won by Acis (Tenor), a Shepherd. Upon their happiness breaks the Giant, Polypheme (Bass), who covets the maiden. He kills Acis, but Galatea exerts her 'pow'r divine ' and, though she cannot restore her lover as a man, decrees that he shall be. immortal, and reign as a god.
There is another character, Damon, a Shepherd (Tenor). whose part consists of a Recitative and Air in the first portion of the piece, and two Airs in the second half.
A chorus of Nymphs and' Shepherds provides variety, singing some comments upon the action of the work.